Epiphany: Who am I now?

Epiphany originated in the Eastern Church in the third century as a feast on January 6 to honor our Lord’s birth and baptism. It ranked with Easter and Pentecost as one of the three principal festivals of the Church and featured the blessing of the baptismal water.

Beginning in the fourth century, the Western Church celebrated Epiphany to commemorate that Christ was manifested to the Magi, who were Gentiles. These wise, royal foreigners remind us that Jesus, King of the Jews, was born for all of us.

The word epiphany has come to mean “a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something . . . an intuitive grasp of reality . . .”, in addition to its traditional meaning, “the manifestation of God in earthly form.”As we observe Epiphany today, we celebrate the journey to the manger and the showing forth of God in unexpected places.

O God,who am I now?Once, I was secure

in familiar territoryin my sense of belonging

unquestioning of

the norms of my culturethe assumptions built into my languagethe values shared by my society.

But now you have called me out and away from homeand I do not know where you are leading.I am empty, unsure, uncomfortable.I have only a beckoning star to follow.

Journeying God,pitch your tent with mineso that I may not become deterredby hardship, strangeness, doubt.Show me the movement I must make

toward a wealth not dependent on possessionstoward a wisdom not based on bookstoward a strength not bolstered by mighttoward a God not confined to heaven

but scandalously earthed, poor, unrecognized…

Help me find myselfas I walk in others’ shoes.

Kate Compston, England, 1990
From Bread of Tomorrow: Prayers for the Church Year

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8 Comments

Vanessaon January 8, 2018 at 8:46 am

I’m new to using the lectionary. This week readings should be from the Second Sunday After Epiphany

January 14, 2018 in anticipation of Sunday January 14th correct? Thank you!

Dear Ruth, Thanks so much for sharing Ms. Compston’s poem which describes our heart’s cry for the Lord’s leading in 2018. To be sensitive to His Holy Spirit, to be brave in following His leading into the unknown, and for reassurance that He is with us along the way as our ‘Journeying God’. Every message you share with us is so uplifting and encouraging – equipping us to positively deal with the many issues of those we minister to. You are a blessing!

You’re welcome. One of the reasons I love marking Epiphany is that it celebrates the faith journey itself–the journey into the unknown in response to something new God is stirring within us. That’s the journey I always want to be on!